By Matt Bishop
YORK CITY goalkeeper Scott Flinders has been suspended from playing competitive football for five games after being found guilty of racial abuse during a match.
The accusation was brought against the former Barnsley, Crystal Palace and Hartlepool stopper after a fixture against AFC Wimbledon in March, and the FA have now handed him a ban, along with a £1250 fine, to be imposed with immediate effect.
An FA statement said “The player was alleged to have used abusive and/or insulting words contrary to Rule E3(1).
“It was further alleged that this was an ‘aggravated breach’ as defined by Rule E3(2) as it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race.”
Flinders denied the charge, but it was found proven by an Independent Regulatory Commission, meaning the 30-year-old will miss National League fixtures against Woking, Solihull Moors, Tranmere Rovers, Wrexham and Torquay.
The keeper had played four of York’s five opening games in the National League but was replaced by Luke Simpson for the game at Forest Green Rovers following the 6-1 defeat to Gateshead.
